Several of the late RJ Mitte‘s Breaking Bad costars — including Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul — paid tribute to him following his death.
A spokesperson for Mitte confirmed to Us on October 12, 2026, that the actor and disability rights advocate died by suicide earlier in the day. He was 34.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his rep told Us.
His spokesperson noted that Mitte drew from his own “experience living with cerebral palsy” to play Walter “Flynn” White Jr. on all five seasons of Breaking Bad. (Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 3 years old.)
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“Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s,” they added. “He also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, supporting philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, while using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities.”
The statement concluded, “At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones.”
In light of Mitte’s death, several of his Breaking Bad costars honored his life and legacy. Cranston wrote of feeling “deep despair” over his onscreen son’s death, while Paul said in a statement that he was “heartbroken” over the news.
Read more about how the cast of Breaking Bad honored Mitte below.
Bryan Cranston
The seven-time Emmy winner penned a lengthy tribute to Mitte via Instagram hours after news broke about his costar’s death.
“I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm,” he recalled. “Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never — ever — allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination.”
Cranston joked that Mitte was “always listening to the advice” of his more experienced costars while “sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way.”
“He was one of the stars of a hit TV show — but still a kid,” the actor noted. “That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor. He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community. All that promise and potential now is such a loss.”
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The Walter White Sr. actor stressed that it was “especially devastating” to hear that Mitte died by suicide.
He went on, “We were texting each other just a few weeks ago — figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed… I’ll miss you, son.”
Aaron Paul
Paul — who played Walt Sr.’s drug-dealing accomplice Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad — reflected on the bond he formed with Mitte during their years working together.
“I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news,” Paul told The Hollywood Reporter on October 12. “RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed. And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
Two days later, Paul penned a longer tribute to Mitte via Instagram, writing, “RJ, You have always been an inspiration for so many. I am so sorry you were hurting my friend. I wish we knew.”
The actor recalled on October 14 that Mitte “constantly had a smile on your face and you took every single challenge that was given to you with such confidence and grace. I met you when you were a little boy and watched you grow into a beautiful young man. Taking on every challenge head on.”
Paul remembered calling Mitte “Superman” the last time they saw each other, explaining, “You reminded me of him. You reminded me of him because you always led with kindness and strength. It was blinding.”
He noted Mitte “never let” his cerebral palsy diagnosis “stand in [his] way.”
“I’m so sorry RJ. What an absolute tragic loss. I love you my friend,” Paul added. “I loved your mother. Your sister. I loved your laugh and how much fun you had riding the wave we were all blessed to be on with Breaking Bad.”
Paul reminded his followers to “please say something” if they’re feeling “lost or sad or uncertain about the future, adding, “Life is so damn special.”
“RJ, love you my friend. I’m so sorry. AP,” he concluded.
Dean Norris
Norris remembered the familial bond he felt with Mitte, having played Walt Jr.’s Uncle Hank Schrader on Breaking Bad.
“Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ I am heartbroken,” Norris tweeted on October 12. “Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed.”
He added, “This is so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.”
Matt Jones
Jones, who played Badger, recalled the last time he saw Mitte in January 2025.
“We stood in the back of a group photo making jokes and talking about how ridiculous our lives were. You told me about all the plans you had,” Jones wrote via Instagram on October 14. “I was supposed to visit your new set up in Texas. We were gonna go out that night to visit Quezada’s club. I bailed because I was tired. I’m so sorry.”
The actor added, “I met you 19 years ago, you were only 15. I’m beyond devastated. You were a little brother to all of us. I’m so so sorry.”
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Anna Gunn
Gunn, who played Mitte’s TV mom, Skyler White, remembered the late actor as a “gentle and bold, exceedingly kind and wickedly funny” man, telling Us in a statement on October 14 that she’ll “never forget” meeting Mitte when he was 14 years old.
“I was immediately struck by the depth and complexity of someone so young. … Above all, he was doggedly determined that his disability would not impede him, but would instead give him the opportunity to enlighten and educate others through his nakedly truthful portrayal of Walt ‘Flynn’ Jr.,” she recalled.
Gunn noted “how lucky” she was “to watch him evolve and expand as an actor and human being as the seasons went by, and for all the years after as he continued to serve his community with tireless advocacy and philanthropic work.”
She emphasized that not only was she “so proud of him,” but the entire Breaking Bad family was as well.
“There truly are no words to express the heartbreak of a loss this profound, the loss of a beautiful young man who had such an impact upon this world, with still so much ahead of him,” Gunn concluded. “What I choose to remember and cherish today are the quiet, personal moments I shared with my beloved TV son. Moments of mutual support and understanding, of belly-aching laughter and silliness, of care and deep love. You live in my heart forever, my dearest RJ.”
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